TAMS Elektronik Booster B-3 User manual
tams elektronik
Manual
Booster B-3
Item no. 40-19327
tams elektronik
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tams elektronik
English Booster B-3
Table of contents
1. Why Boosters?............................................................................3
2. Getting started............................................................................4
3. Safety instructions.......................................................................6
4. Your B-3.....................................................................................7
5. Splitting your model railway layout.............................................11
6. Connecting the B-3....................................................................12
7. Settings....................................................................................16
8. Operation.................................................................................17
9. Check list for troubleshooting.....................................................17
10. Guarantee bond........................................................................19
11. EU declaration of conformity......................................................20
12. Declarations conforming to the WEEE directive...........................20
© 09/2016 Tams Elektronik GmbH
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, without prior permission in writing from Tams
Elektronik GmbH. Subject to technical modification.
RailCom® is the registered trademark of:
Lenz Elektronik GmbH | Vogelsang 14 | DE-35398 Gießen
To increase the text´s readability we have refrained from refering to
this point in each instance.
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Booster B-3 English
1. Why Boosters?
The three essential functions of boosters are:
1. Supplying the power needed for the operation of digital controlled
locomotives and points and other digital consumers.
2. Bringing the voltage to the rails, in order to make sure that all
vehicle and accessory decoders receive the digital switching and
control commands.
3. Making sure the current is switched off in case of a short-circuit on
the layout (e.g. when a vehicle derails), in order to prevent
damages at rails and vehicles.
In layouts monitored by RailCom the booster also provides the so-called
RailCom-cutout needed to transfer RailCom-feedback data.
You can measure the power consumption as follows:
1 locomotive gauge N 600 mA
1 locomotive gauge H0 800 mA
1 locomotive gauge 0 1.000 mA
wagon light 50 - 200 mA
another consumer
(such as a sound module) 100 - 300 mA
reserve for points 10% of the calculated sum of
power consumption
The Booster B-3 can provide 2,5 A current. If your overall power
demand exceeds the capacity of one booster you have to connect
additional boosters according to the special requirements of your
layout.
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English Booster B-3
2. Getting started
How to use this manual
This manual gives step-by-step instructions for safe and correct
connecting of the booster, and operation. Before you start, we advise
you to read the whole manual, particularly the chapter on safety
instructions and the checklist for trouble shooting. You will then know
where to take care and how to prevent mistakes which take a lot of
effort to correct.
Keep this manual safely so that you can solve problems in the future. If
you pass the booster on to another person, please pass on the manual
with it.
Intended use
The booster B-3 is designed to be operated according to the
instructions in this manual in model building, especially in digital model
railroad layouts. Any other use is inappropriate and invalidates any
guarantees.
The booster B-3 should not be mounted by children under the age of
14.
Reading, understanding and following the instructions in this manual
are mandatory for the user.
Checking the contents
Please make sure that your package contains:
Booster B-3,
one 5-pin connecting cable,
two short-circuit jumpers,
a CD (containing the manual and further information).
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Booster B-3 English
Required materials
In order to connect the booster you need:
Wire. Recommended diameter:
for the connection to the transformer and the rails: > 1,5 mm²
for the connection to the digital control unit: > 0,25 mm²
A transformer. The recommended voltage and the minimum power
of the transformer depend on the desired settings.
Determining the necessary transformer´s voltage
Desired track voltage Recommended transformer´s voltage
AC voltage DC voltage
12 V 12 V
14 V
15 V 15 V 17 V
19 V 16 oder 18 V 21 V
Determining the transformer´s minimum power
desired track voltage x desired interrupting current
= minimum transformer´s power
Example: 19 V x 2,5 A = 47,5 VA
Please note:
Use a transformer with a nominal voltage not much higher than the
desired track voltage. The power resulting has to be dissipated as heat
by the booster otherwise. When this power is too high, the booster
overheats and switches off.
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English Booster B-3
3. Safety instructions
Risk of fire
The booster is cooled by a heat sink to prevent overheating. Thus be
careful to allow the air to flow unhindered through the heat sink at the
booster´s back. If the airflow is blocked components can overheat and
catch fire.
Risk of electric shock
Touching powered, live components,
touching conducting components which are live due to malfunction,
short circuits and connecting the circuit to another voltage than
specified,
impermissibly high humidity and condensation build up
can cause serious injury due to electrical shock. Take the following
precautions to prevent this danger:
Only operate indoors in a dry environment.
Wiring should only be carried out when the booster is disconnected.
Only use low power for this device as described in this manual and
only use certified transformers.
Only connect the transformer in an authorised manner to the house
power supply.
Use adequetly thick cable for all wiring. Too thin a cable can
overheat.
If the layout is exposed to condensation, allow at least two hours for
drying out.
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Booster B-3 English
4. Your B-3
Technical specifications
Supply voltage 12 - 20 V AC voltage or
14 – 21 V DC voltage
Maximum output current 2,5 A
Output voltage 12, 15 or 19 Volt digital voltage
Power max. 48 Watt
Digital formats DCC, Motorola,
mfx (control commands only)
Feedback log RailCom
Interfaces DCC-conforming booster port
(3-pole)
Märklin-compatible booster port
(5 pole)
Track signal symmetrical
Protected to IP 00
Ambient temperature in use 0 ... +60 °C
Ambient temperature in storage -10 ... +80 °C
Comparative humidity allowed max. 85 %
Dimensions (approx.) 100 x 90 x 35 mm
Weight (approx. ) 181 g
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English Booster B-3
1 Track port
2 Märklin booster port
3 DCC booster port
4 Transformer port
5 RailCom
6 Track voltage
7 Operation display (LED)
Ports
The booster B-3 can be connected either to a port for a Märklincompatible booster or to a DCC-conforming booster port. Advice: The
port ( Märklin-compatible or DCC-conform) used for the booster´s
connection to the control unit, is of no importance for the data format
used to control the decoders. Use the port compatible to your control
unit.
Please note: With control units providing both booster ports (e.g. Tams
MasterControl and Tams RedBox) you have to set the short circuit
polarity according to the booster port in use.
Data formats
The booster B-3 is a multi protocol booster and capable of amplifying
data sent in the Motorola or the DCC format. It transmits control
commands in mfx-format as well, but no mfx feedback signals.
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